Secularism is soul of democracy: Bhim

Shadow Correspondent
Jammu,July02:
Prof.Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of National Panthers Party called on people of J&K irrespective of their political and religious affiliation to stand together, sail together so that the people of entire State of J&K get an opportunity to grow together so that peace is restored in J&K and the people of the entire country get an opportunity to grow and develop together ensuring healthy development for the coming generation. He reminded the people of the entire country to study the history of the people of J&K, particularly the people of Kashmir Valley who stood in secular faith with the Union of India at the time of partition of India in 1947. He reminded the new generation not to forget the secular history of the people of Kashmir Valley who faced the invading raiders from across the border in the Valley of Kashmir in 1947. This is unfortunate, he said that some elements from outside have been trying to mislead the people thus disturbing the present secular atmosphere in the land of peace.
He appealed the younger generation in Kashmir Valley as well as in Jammu Pradesh to read the past history of J&K before the Treaty of Amritsar signed in 1846 and its history developed under the Dogra rulers after 1846 when Maharaja Gulab Singh took over J&K as its Maharaja. It was Maharaja Gulab Singh himself with Dogra soldiers who cleaned the premises of Jama Masjid, Kashmir and help the local Muslim population to have comfortable prayer. He reminded the generation that J&K joined Union of India in 1947 when Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession on 26th October, 1947. These were the Kashmiri Muslims who resisted the invading raiders some of them are recorded in the history. The Muslims of Kashmir have emerged as high ranking secularists in the history of India written after 1947. The Kashmiri Muslims have made enormous sacrifices in defense of secular character of Kashmir which is recorded in the history of India. The political compulsions and propaganda has misrepresented the real face of Kashmir and the Kashmiries cannot be treated as separatists or communal.
He further thanked the younger elements, hailing from Udhampur and Ramnagar some of whom have conveyed their opinion through social media. I hope that younger generation from all over the state should read and understand what I have been saying and with what mission. When we created Panthers Party in 1982 the mission was clear and is still alive in my mind that secularism is soul of democracy and essential for the growth of the state. No state can be nourished in the name of any particular religion or community.
Tolerance has to be faith so that all of us shall work together, grow together without any selfish or personal motive or desire. Panthers Party is a mission which stands for reorganization of the entire State of J&K with secular faith and justice to all.
He also appealed to all Panthers Party volunteers, its voters and even its critics to think of the entire nation, entire people which include all religions, all castes, all regions and that humanity is the greatest religion and all the citizens of India from Kanyakumari to Kashmir belong to human race. We should think hundred times before we speak or write a word on the conduct of human race.